Finite Element Method Based Design of a Computer Application Interface for Thermal Analysis of Underground Power Cable System

Year 2025, Early View, 1 - 1

Celal Fadıl Kumru

https://doi.org/10.35378/gujs.1372381

Abstract

The aim of thermal analysis of underground power cable studies is to optimize electrical and physical parameters of cable system and to transfer maximum power with minimum losses. For such problems, finite element method is mostly preferred, since they have complex geometry and requires multi-disciplinary (thermal and electrical) study. However, design, calculation and analysis of the problem is quite challenging since it requires advanced knowledge in related areas. Therefore, it becomes difficult particularly for engineers and students to study on thermal analysis of underground cables which has an important role in power system. In this context, it is aimed to design an application to perform thermal analysis of a typical medium voltage underground cable system. The application is designed using Comsol Multiphysics and allows users to perform two-dimensional, time-dependent thermal analyses. It also provides users to set several thermal, electrical and physical parameters as inputs and allows to compare thermal distribution results at desired points and regions. In the study, a series of thermal analyses are performed and results are presented for a sample loading scenario to indicate performance of the application. Besides, the application designed is used as a training material in a seminar in Yildiz Technical University, Electrical Engineering Department. Results showed that the application can be used as a useful tool for engineering education.

Keywords

Power cables, Thermal analysis, Finite element method, Distribution networks

References

• [1] Fu, C., Si, W., and Liang, Y., “On-line Computation of the Underground Power Cable Core’s Temperature and Ampacity based on FEM and Environment Detection”, Condition Monitoring and Diagnosis, Perth, 1–5, (2018).
• [2] Lewin, P.L., Hao, L., Swaffield, D.J., and Swingler, S.G., “Condition Monitoring of Power Cables”, IET Power Convention, UK, 1-7, (2007).
• [3] Zhao, W., Song, Y.H., and Min, Y., “Wavelet Analysis Based Scheme for Fault Detection and Classification in Underground Power Cable Systems”, Electric Power Systems Research, 53(1): 23-30, (2000).
• [4] Xiong, L., Chen, Y., Jiao, Y., Wang, J., and Hu, X., “Study on the Effect of Cable Group Laying Mode on Temperature Field Distribution and Cable Ampacity”, Energies, 12(17): 3397, (2019).
• [5] Mazzanti, G., and Member, S., “The Effects of Seasonal Factors on Life and Reliability of High Voltage AC Cables Subjected to Load Cycles”, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, 35(4): 2080-2088, (2019).
• [6] Bustamante, S., Minguez, R., Arroyo, A., Manana, M., Laso, A., Castro, P., and Martinez, R., “Thermal Behaviour of Medium-Voltage Underground Cables Under High-Load Operating Conditions”, Applied Thermal Engineering, 156: 444-452, (2019).
• [7] Wang, P.Y., Ma, H., Liu, G., Han, Z. Z., Guo, D.M., Xu, T., and Kang, L.Y., “Dynamic Thermal Analysis of High-Voltage Power Cable Insulation for Cable Dynamic Thermal Rating”, IEEE Access, 7: 56095–56106, (2019).
• [8] Karahan M., Kalenderli O., “Coupled Electrical and Thermal Analysis of Power Cables Using Finite Element Method”, Heat Transfer - Engineering Applications, InTech, (2011).
• [9] Shazly, J.H., Mostafa, M.A., Ibrahim, D.K., and Abo El Zahab, E.E., “Thermal Analysis of High-Voltage Cables with Several Types of Insulation for Different Configurations in the Presence of Harmonics”, IET Generation, Transmission & Distribution, 11(14): 3439–3448, (2017).
• [10] Bicen, Y., and Aras, F., “Steady State Effects of Design Properties and Environmental Conditions on Underground Power Cable Ampacity”, 10th International Conference on Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Bursa, 81–84, (2018).
• [11] Parekh, D.K., and Modi, B., “Computer Application for Finding Underground Power Cable Ampacity”, 2nd International Conference for Convergence in Technology, Mumbai, 601–606, (2017).
• [12] Calcara, L., Pompili, M., and Cauzillo, B.A., “Ampacity of MV Underground Cables: The Influence of Soil Thermal Resistivity”, 5th International Youth Conference on Energy, Pisa, 1–5, (2015).
• [13] Radzi, A.S., Arifin, N.A.N, Anthony, T.M., Aida, Z., Azlina, N., Raj, A., Chakrabarty, C., and Syaza, N., “The Effect on Ampacity for Multiple Cable Crossing and Mitigation to Improve Its Ampacity”, IEEE International Conference on Power and Energy, Melaka, 301–305, (2017).
• [14] Shen, Y., Niu, H., You, Y., Zhuang, X., and Xu, T., “Promoting Cable Ampacity by Filling Low Thermal Resistivity Medium in Ducts”, IEEE PES Asia-Pacific Power and Energy Engineering Conference, Hong Kong, 1–4, (2013).
• [15] Yang, L., Qiu, W., Huang, J., Hao, Y., Fu, M., Hou, S., and Li, L., “Comparison of Conductor-Temperature Calculations Based on Different Radial-Position-Temperature Detections for High-Voltage Power Cable”, Energies, 11(1): 117, (2018).
• [16] Bates, C., Malmedal, K., and Cain, D., “How to Include Soil Thermal Instability in Underground Cable Ampacity Calculations”, IEEE Industry Applications Society Annual Meeting, Portland, 1–8, (2016).
• [17] Gouda, O.E., El Dein, A.Z., and Amer, G.M., “The Effect of the Artificial Backfill Materials on the Ampacity of the Underground Cables”, 7th International Multi-Conference on Systems, Signals and Devices, Amman, 1–6, (2010).
• [18] Cichy, A., Sakowicz, B., and Kaminski, M., “Economic Optimization of an Underground Power Cable Installation”, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, 33(3): 1124–1133, (2018).
• [19] Yang, Y., Darwish, M., Moghadam, M., Lucas-Clements, C., Obrien, G., and Quennell, D., “Power Cable Cost Benefit Analysis: A Critical Review”, 53rd International Universities Power Engineering Conference, Glasgow, 1-6, (2018).
• [20] Rasoulpoor, M., Mirzaie, M., and Mirimani, S.M., “Arrangement Optimization of Power Cables in Harmonic Currents to Achieve the Maximum Ampacity Using ICA”, Electric Power Components and Systems, 46(16–17): 1820–1833, (2018).
• [21] Sun, B., and Makram, E., “Configuration Optimization of Cables in Ductbank Based on Their Ampacity”, Journal of Power and Energy Engineering, 6(4): 1-15, (2018).
• [22] Dai, D., Hu, M., and Luo, L., “Calculation of Thermal Distribution and Ampacity for Underground Power Cable System by Using Electromagnetic-Thermal Coupled Model”, IEEE Electrical Insulation Conference, Philadelphia, 303–306, (2014).
• [23] Jian, W., Huan, J., Xiao, M., and Xu, B., “Ampacity Analysis of Buried Cables Based on Electromagnetic-Thermal Finite Element Method”, 2nd International Conference on Smart Grid and Smart Cities, Kuala Lumpur, 73–79, (2018).
• [24] Quan, L., Fu, C., Si, W., Yang, J., and Wang, Q., “Numerical Study of Heat Transfer in Underground Power Cable System”, Energy Procedia, 158: 5317–5322, (2019).
• [25] Rasoulpoor, M., Mirzaie, M., and Mirimani, S.M., “Losses Distribution in Sheathed Power Cables Under Non-Sinusoidal Currents Using Numerical Method”, Computer Applications in Engineering Education, 24(5): 692-705, (2016).
• [26] Cardoso, J.R., Silva, V.C., Abe, N.M., and Rossi, L.N., “Approach to Teaching the Finite Element Method Applied to Electromagnetic Problems with Axial Symmetry to Electrical Engineering Students”, Computer Applications in Engineering Education, 7(3): 133–145, (1999).
• [27] International Electrotechnical Commission, “IEC 60287-1-1 Electric Cables – Calculation of the Current Rating”, (2023).
• [28] Sedaghat, A., and De Leon, F., “Thermal Analysis of Power Cables in Free Air: Evaluation and Improvement of the IEC Standard Ampacity Calculations”, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, 29(5): 2306–2314, (2014).
• [29] Parekh, D.K., and Velani, K., “Computer Aided Application to Calculate and Analysis of Underground Power Cable Ampacity”, Innovations in Power and Advanced Computing Technologies, Vellore, 1-6, (2017).
• [30] Shabani, H., and Vahidi, B., “A Probabilistic Approach for Optimal Power Cable Ampacity Computation by Considering Uncertainty of Parameters and Economic Constraints”, International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems, 106: 432–443, (2019).
• [31] Al-Saud, M.S., “PSO of Power Cable Performance in Complex Surroundings”, IET Generation, Transmission & Distribution, 12(10): 2452-2461, (2018).
• [32] Hwang, C.C., and Jiang, Y.H., “Extensions to the Finite Element Method for Thermal Analysis of Underground Cable Systems”, Electric Power Systems Research, 64(2): 159–164, (2003).
• [33] Wadhwa, C.L., Electrical Power Systems, 4th ed, New Delhi: New Age Int’L Publishers, (2006).
• [34] Anders, G.J., and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Rating of Electric Power Cables in Unfavorable Thermal Environment, Wiley-IEEE Press, (2005).